Colt navy 1851 & its conversion Model 3D

Two Colt navy 1851. One original and a conversion in 38 long Colt center fire.It is a very rare conversion Richards-Mason of the Navy. After the Civil War the army to order conversions of their old pistol at percussion to Colt 36 and 44, 36 cal becomes 38 centerfire. Because of the patent held by Smith & Wesson that allowed to pierce the chamber from one side to the other! It was in 1871 that Colt began these conversions when the patent fell into the public domain in 1869. "R. W. M. [anchor]." markings of Commander Richard W. Meade of the U.S. Navy.There is an anchor engraved on the top of the barrel after the address. WITH C4D R18